Challenges of Population Explosion

India is predicted to have overtaken China as the world's most populous nation by 2050. In an already overcrowded world, richer countries are being asked to share responsibility for the problem of this population explosion,which to a large extent is due to poverty.The growth rate of population is a function of migration, birth rate and death rate in a country.The difference between the birth rate and the death rate measures the growth rate of population. According to estimates,Indian population has risen 1,270,272,105 (1.27 billion) out of which female constitute 614,397,079 (614.4 million), male 655,875,026 (655.8 million) and tribal 104,281,034.The high population growth rates are due to high birth rate and fast declining death rates due to better sanitation and health facilities.However, the capacities to absorb increasing manpower are much weaker.

Furthermore, the process of economic development tends to be more capital intensive under modern technological conditions, and hence, has less potential of employment generation in the short run. Since the total size of the population is already large, there is urgency for speedy achievement of demographic transition from high birth rate to low birth rate resulting in lower population growth.

The effects of the rapid population growth in India like providing employment to growing population, problem of utilisation of manpower, over-strained infrastructure,pressure on land and other renewable natural resources, increased cost of production and inequitable distribution of income are hindering with development of the country.World Population Day is being observed on 11th July across the world every year.

Population and sex ratio

Sex ratio is an important parameter that reflects the status of women in society. Some of the worst gender ratios,indicating gross violation of women’s rights are found in south and East Asian countries such as India and China. In India sex-ratio is declining reaching upto 928:1000. But more important and serious thing is that with social, educational, economic development,it is declining. In 2011 Census it is seen that in all states except Bihar, Gujarat and Jammu Kashmir the sex ratio is increased, it is also increased in Union Territories except Dadra & Haveli and Daman & Diu.Female Mortality Rate is observed to be very low in most of parts of Northern India. But comparatively sex ratio is high in Southern States of India.Reasons for neglect of girl child and low levels of sex ratio are son preference,low status of women, social and financial security associated with sons,socio-cultural practices including dowry and violence against women.Small family norm may be a catalyst in the declining child sex ratio.

Population and Environment

The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm in 1972 (United Nations,1973) stated that the growth of population in certain areas, through both net migration and national increase,had accelerated the rates that could frustrate all the efforts to conquer poverty and underdevelopment and to maintain a safe and stable environment.The unprecedented consensus at the ICPD in 1994 squarely underscored the complex interrelationships between population, sustained economic growth, poverty and the environment.The programme of action stressed the need for integrating population and environment issues in planning and decision-making and for modifying unsustainable consumption and production patterns in order to foster sustainable resource use and prevent environmental degradation. It is also called for the implementation of policies to address the ecological implications of population dynamics. Rapid population growth and poverty in country are adversely affecting the environment.

As the 21st century begins,growing number of people and rising levels of consumption per capita are depleting natural resources and degrading the environment. In India,the rapid increase of population combines with desperate poverty to deplete and pollute local resource bases on which the livelihood of present and future generations depends.Though the relationship is complex,population size and growth tend to expand and accelerate these human impacts on the environment.The number of population rise will increase to such an extent in future that it will cause overall scarcity for resources. India is having 18 percent of the world's population on 2.4 percent of its land area which has great deal of pressure on its all natural resources.